Playback of audio content along with associated non-static media content

ABSTRACT

This disclosure concerns the provision of media, and more particularly streaming of media. In particular, one aspect herein relates to a method performed by a server system of streaming an audio content item to an electronic device. In response to receiving a request message from the electronic device, a selected audio content item is retrieved. A second storage is browsed utilizing to locate non-static media content item(s) associated with the selected audi content item. In response to finding a non-static media content item associated with the selected audio content item, the selected audio content item is sent along with the located non-static media content item to the electronic device for simultaneous presentation of the audio content item and the located non static media content item.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/158,925, filed Jan. 26, 2021, entitled “Playback of Audio ContentAlong With Associated Non-Static Media Content,” which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/162,156, filed Oct. 16, 2018, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,936,652, entitled, “Playback of Audio Content AlongWith Associated Non-Static Media Content,” which claims priority toEuropean Patent Application No. EP17196945, filed Oct. 17, 2017,entitled, “Playback of Audio Content Along with Associated Non-StaticMedia Content,” each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the provision of media, andmore particularly to the streaming of media. In particular, theembodiments described herein relate to methods and computer serversystems for streaming an audio content item to an electronic device,whereby a selected audio content item can be transmitted along with anon-static media content item to the electronic device. Furthermore,embodiments described herein relate to corresponding methods andelectronic devices that can present the selected audio content item aswell as the non-static media content item simultaneously. Correspondingcomputer program and carriers are also presented herein.

BACKGROUND

As computer technology has improved, the digital media industry hasevolved greatly in recent years. Users are able to use electronicdevices such as mobile communication devices (e.g., cellular telephones,smartphones, tablet computers, etc.) to consume media content (e.g.,music, videos and other forms of media content). For instance, users canlisten to audio content (e.g., music) and/or watch video content (e.g.,movies, television (TV) broadcasts, etc.) on a variety of electronicdevices.

At the same time, advances in network technology have increased thespeed and reliability with which information can be transmitted overcomputer networks. It is therefore possible for users to stream mediacontent over computer networks as needed, or on demand, rather thantransmitting a complete file in physical media (such as CD or DVD, ordownloading the entire file) before consuming the media content.

In the existing art, audio content items are typically associated withstatic media content. For example, an audio content item in the form ofa music content item (e.g., a music file) is typically linked or coupledto pre-defined static image content (e.g., a rectangular cover artassociated with a music album). Some users may perceive this as beingunnecessarily limiting to the user-friendliness during the users'consumption of audio content.

SUMMARY

It is in view of the above considerations and others that the variousembodiments disclosed herein have been made.

It is a general object of the embodiments described herein to enable anovel user experience when consuming streamed media content.

This general object has been addressed by the appended independentclaims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the appended dependentclaims.

According to a first aspect, this disclosure presents a method ofstreaming an audio content item to an electronic device. The audiocontent item may be associated with, or otherwise include, audio contentfor playback by the electronic device. The method is advantageously, butnot necessarily, performed by a computer server system comprising one orseveral computers.

A request message is received from an electronic device. The requestmessage includes an instruction requesting the computer server system toreturn a selected audio content item to the electronic device. Inresponse to receiving the request message, the selected audio contentitem is retrieved from a first storage. Furthermore, descriptivemetadata including an origin identification (ID) associated with theretrieved audio content item is determined. Still further, a secondstorage is browsed utilizing said metadata including the origin ID. Thisis done in order to locate a non-static media content item associatedwith the origin ID. In response to finding non-static media content itemassociated with the origin ID, the method additionally comprisestransmitting the selected audio content item along with the locatednon-static media content item to the electronic device for subsequentsimultaneous presentation of the audio content item as well as thelocated non-static media content item by the electronic device.

As used herein, the expression non-static is used to mean non-permanent.In other words, the expression non-static can also be used to meanchanging, developing or shifting. A non-static media content item istherefore to be understood as a media content item associated with, orotherwise including, media content that is non-permanent and,accordingly, can change, develop or shift over time. In other words,non-static media content item is therefore dynamic.

In some embodiments, the origin ID may include one or more of thefollowing: a track ID, an artist ID, a playlist ID.

In some embodiments, the non-static media content item includes a visualmedia content item. The visual media content item is thus associatedwith, or otherwise include, media content that is visual to a user ofthe electronic device when said visual media content is presented (orotherwise played) by the electronic device.

In advantageous embodiments, the non-static media content item comprisesa video content item. The video media content item is thus associatedwith, or otherwise include, video content.

In one embodiment, the video content item may comprise a video canvascontent item. In other words, video content may incorporate or otherwiseembed video canvas content. As used herein, canvas content is generallycontent that is configured to incorporate a variety of visual effects tothe video content being played.

Additionally, or alternatively, the non-static media content itemincludes content items including one or more of the following: dynamictext, dynamic image (e.g., a dynamic picture), etc. To this end, andthroughout this disclosure, the expression ‘dynamic’ is generally usedto mean changing or developing (over time). In other words, dynamic textmay include text that undergoes a continuous change during presentation.Likewise, a dynamic image may include an image that undergoes acontinuous change during presentation. In one embodiment, the dynamictext and/or the dynamic image may comprise a canvas content item. Inother words, the dynamic text and/or the dynamic image may incorporateor otherwise embed the canvas content. Again, the canvas content is,generally speaking, content that is configured to incorporate a varietyof visual effects to the dynamic text/dynamic image being presented.

In some embodiments, the method may additionally comprise receiving arequest message from an electronic device. This request message includesan instruction requesting the computer server system to change, orotherwise modify, a non-static media content item associated with aselected origin ID; and in response thereto changing, or otherwisemodifying, the non-static media content item associated with theselected origin ID accordingly.

In some embodiments, the earlier-mentioned first storage is separate anddistinct (i.e., different) from the earlier-mentioned second storage.

According to a second aspect, this disclosure presents a computer serversystem for streaming an audio content item to an electronic device. Asdescribed earlier, the audio content item may be associated with, orotherwise include, audio content for playback by the electronic device.

The computer server system comprises at least one communicationsinterface for transmission and reception of messages; at least oneprocessor; and memory comprising instructions executable by the at leastone processor whereby the computer server system is operative to: i)receive a request message from an electronic device via the at least onecommunications interface, said request message including an instructionrequesting the computer server system to return a selected audio contentitem to the electronic device; ii) in response to receiving said requestmessage, retrieve said selected audio content item from a first storage;and iii) determine descriptive metadata including an origin IDassociated with said retrieved audio content item; iv) browse a secondstorage, utilizing said metadata including the origin ID, to locate anon-static media content item associated with the origin ID; and inresponse to finding non-static media content item associated with theorigin ID further: v) transmit, via the at least one communicationsinterface, the selected audio content item along with the locatednon-static media content item to the electronic device for subsequentsimultaneous presentation of the audio content item as well as thelocated non-static media content item by the electronic device.

As mentioned earlier, the expression non-static is used to meannon-permanent. In other words, the expression non-static can also beused to mean changing, developing or shifting. A non-static mediacontent item is therefore to be understood as a media content itemassociated with, or otherwise including, media content that isnon-permanent and, accordingly, can change or shift over time. In otherwords, non-static media content item is therefore dynamic.

The above-mentioned origin ID may include one or more of the following:a track ID, an artist ID, a playlist ID.

In advantageous embodiments, the non-static media content item comprisesa video content item. The video media content item is thus associatedwith, or otherwise include, video content. In one embodiment, the videocontent item may comprise a video canvas content item. In other words,video content may comprise video canvas content. As described earlier,canvas content is generally content that is configured to incorporate avariety of visual effects to the video content being played.

Additionally, or alternatively, the non-static media content itemincludes content items including one or more of the following: dynamictext, dynamic image (e.g., a dynamic picture). Again, dynamic text mayinclude text that undergoes a continuous change during presentation.Likewise, a dynamic image may include an image that undergoes acontinuous change during presentation.

In some embodiments, the memory additionally comprises instructionsexecutable by the at least one processor whereby the computer serversystem is further operative to: receive, via the at least onecommunications interface, a request message from an electronic device,said request message including an instruction requesting the computerserver system to change, or otherwise modify, a non-static media contentitem associated with a selected origin ID; and in response theretochange, or otherwise modify, the non-static media content itemassociated with the selected origin ID accordingly.

In advantageous embodiments, the first storage is separate and distinct(i.e., different) from the second storage.

According to a third aspect, this disclosure presents computer programcomprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor,cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according tothe first aspect.

Also, a carrier comprising the computer program according to the thirdaspect may be provided. The carrier may, for example, be an electronicsignal, an optical signal, a radio signal or computer-readable storagemedium.

According to a fourth aspect, this disclosure presents a method ofstreaming an audio content item, wherein the method is performed by anelectronic device, e.g. a mobile communication device (e.g., a cellulartelephone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or the like).

A request message is transmitted to a computer server system. Thisrequest message includes an instruction requesting the computer serversystem to return a selected audio content item to the electronic device.Furthermore, the selected audio content item is received along with alocated non-static media content from the computer server system. Inresponse thereto, the audio content item as well as the locatednon-static media content are presented simultaneously, i.e.substantially at the same time.

In some embodiments, the method may additionally or alternativelycomprise transmitting a request message to the computer server system,wherein this request message includes an instruction requesting thecomputer server system to change, or otherwise modify, a non-staticmedia content item associated with a selected origin ID.

According to a fifth aspect, this disclosure presents an electronicdevice for streaming an audio content item. The electronic device may bea mobile communication device (e.g., a cellular telephone, a smartphone,a tablet computer, or the like). The electronic device comprises a userinterface; a communications interface for transmission and reception ofmessages; at least one processor; and memory comprising instructionsexecutable by the at least one processor whereby the electronic deviceis operative to: i) transmit, via the communications interface, arequest message to a computer server system, said request messageincluding an instruction requesting the computer server system to returna selected audio content item to the electronic device; and ii) receive,via the communications interface, the selected audio content item alongwith a located non-static media content from the computer server system;and iii) in response thereto simultaneously present the audio contentitem as well as the located non-static media content by means of theuser interface.

In some embodiments, the memory may additionally or alternativelycomprise instructions executable by the at least one processor wherebythe electronic device is operative to transmit, via the communicationsinterface, a request message to the computer server system, wherein thisrequest message includes an instruction requesting the computer serversystem to change, or otherwise modify, a non-static media content itemassociated with a selected origin ID.

According to a sixth aspect, this disclosure presents a method ofstreaming an audio content item in a client-server environment. Theaudio content item may be associated with, or otherwise include, audiocontent for playback by an electronic device.

An electronic device transmits a request message to a computer serversystem. This request message includes an instruction requesting thecomputer server system to return a selected audio content item to theelectronic device. The computer server system receives the requestmessage from the electronic device. In response to receiving the requestmessage, the computer server system retrieves said selected audiocontent item from a first storage. The computer server system furtherdetermines descriptive metadata including an origin identification (ID)associated with said retrieved audio content item. Furthermore, thecomputer server system also browses a second storage (which isadvantageously separate and distinct from the first storage) utilizingsaid metadata including the origin ID, to locate a non-static mediacontent item associated with the origin ID. In response to finding anon-static media content item associated with the origin ID in thesecond storage, the computer server system further transmits theselected audio content item along with the located non-static mediacontent item to the electronic device for subsequent simultaneouspresentation of the audio content item as well as the located non-staticmedia content item by the electronic device. The electronic devicereceives the selected audio content item along with the locatednon-static media content from the computer server system. In responsethereto the electronic device presents the audio content item as well asthe located non-static media content simultaneously, e.g. substantiallyat the same time.

Various aspects and embodiments described herein enable a novel userexperience when consuming streamed media content.

In particular, various aspects and embodiments described herein providea novel user experience when consuming streamed audio content at anelectronic device, such as a mobile communication device. The audiocontent items and the non-static media items are separate and distinctfrom each other. This provides for a flexible solution. Whereas in theexisting art an audio content item e.g. in the form of a music contentitem (e.g., a music file) is typically linked or coupled to pre-definedstatic image content (e.g., a rectangular cover art associated with amusic album), the separation between the audio content item and thenon-static media content item allows for a more flexible solution wherea certain audio content item may be associated with several differentnon-static media content items.

In some embodiments, the first storage and the second storage areseparate storages. This may allow for an increasingly effectiveseparation of the audio content items and the non-static media contentitems, respectively. During streaming from the computer server system tothe electronic device, audio content items and non-static media contentitems are consequently retrieved from different storages. Thiscontributes to achieving a user experience with little or nointerruptions in the simultaneous playback and presentation of theselected audio content item and its associated non-static media contentitem. Having separate storages may be particularly advantageous inscenarios where a non-static media content item comprises a videocontent item.

In some embodiments, the non-static media content comprises a videocontent item. At the electronic device, it is possible to pre-fetchsegments of a video content item. Having separate storages facilitatessimultaneous transmission of the audio content at the one hand and thevideo content item on the other hand, since the video content item canbe segmented more easily and, hence, the electronic device will becapable of pre-fetching the video content item during the streaming. Atthe electronic device, this allows for a user experience with no orlittle interruptions during the simultaneous playback/presentation of aselected audio content item and its associated video content item.

In some embodiments, it is made possible to change, or otherwise modify,a non-static media content item associated with a selected origin ID.This allows for an increasingly flexible solution for the distributionof media content. For example, users of electronic devices can controlthe non-static media content items at anytime and anywhere. This, inturn, may enable users such as artists to individually controlnon-static media content items associated with their music. In otherwords, this opens up for a completely new way for artists to control thedistribution of their own artistic creations. In a sense, this will alsocontribute to artist being able to connect more easily to theirrespective fans.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent andelucidated from the following description of various embodiments,reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a client-server environment for playback of streamedmedia content;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method in accordance with anembodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method in accordance with anembodiment;

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a series of visual appearances/views of a userinterface of an electronic device at different times, t0, t1 and t2,respectively;

FIG. 5 illustrates a carrier containing a computer program, inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a carrier containing a computer program, inaccordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example implementation of an embodiment of acomputer server system in FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an example implementation of an embodiment of anelectronic device in FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter. Theinvention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those persons skilled in the art. Like reference numbersrefer to like elements or method steps throughout the description.

As described earlier herein, some existing solutions for streaming ofmedia content may be inadequate. It is a general object of theembodiments described herein to enable a novel user experience whenconsuming streamed media content. More particularly, some aspects andembodiments disclosed herein therefore address how to allow users ofelectronic devices to consume audio content in an increasinglyuser-friendly and/or enjoyable manner.

To address this, in accordance with an aspect, described herein are amethod of streaming an audio content item in a client-serverenvironment. The audio content item may be associated with, or otherwiseinclude, audio content for playback by an electronic device. Anelectronic device transmits a request message to a computer serversystem. This request message includes an instruction requesting thecomputer server system to return a selected audio content item to theelectronic device. The computer server system receives the requestmessage from the electronic device. In response to receiving the requestmessage, the computer server system retrieves said selected audiocontent item from a first storage. The computer server system furtherdetermines descriptive metadata including an origin identification (ID)associated with said retrieved audio content item. Furthermore, thecomputer server system browses a second storage (which is advantageouslyseparate and distinct from the first storage) utilizing said metadataincluding the origin ID, to locate a non-static media content item(e.g., a video content item) associated with the origin ID. In responseto a finding non-static media content item associated with the origin IDin the second storage, the computer server system further transmits theselected audio content item along with the located non-static mediacontent item to the electronic device for subsequent simultaneousplayback/presentation of the audio content item as well as the locatednon-static media content item by the electronic device. The electronicdevice receives the selected audio content item along with the locatednon-static media content from the computer server system. In responsethereto, the electronic device presents the audio content item as wellas the located non-static media content simultaneously, i.e. at the sametime or substantially at the same time.

By providing playback of a selected audio content item and simultaneouspresentation of an associated non-static media content item, it is madepossible to provide a novel user experience. Some users may perceivethis novel user experience as an enhanced and/or an increasinglyuser-friendly user experience. For example, some users who consume media(e.g., music streaming) will perceive this as particularly enjoyablesince the visual appearance of the displayable non-static media contentassociated with a certain piece of music (or a certain album of songs)can change or develop during the playback of the same piece of music (oralbum of songs).

Reference is now made to the figures, where FIG. 1 illustrates anexample environment where embodiments of the present invention may beapplied. The description in connection with FIG. 1 is intended tointroduce a possible environment where embodiments of the presentinvention may be reduced to practice.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 , an example client-serverenvironment 100 for playback of media content will therefore now bedescribed in further detail. The client-server environment 100 mayinclude an electronic device 200 and a computer server system 300, e.g.operating as a media server system. The computer server system 300 maycomprise one single computer or several computers. The electronic device200 may be communicatively connectable to the computer server system 300via a network 400, such as the Internet. As can be seen in FIG. 1 , onlya single electronic device 200 and a single computer server system 300are shown. However, the computer server system 300 may support thesimultaneous use of multiple electronic devices, and/or the electronicdevice 200 can simultaneously access media content at multiple computerserver systems.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the electronic device 200 may be used for theplayback of audio content such as music, which is provided by thecomputer server system 300. The electronic device 200 may be a mobilecommunication device (e.g. a mobile telephone such as a smartphone).Alternatively, the electronic device 200 may be a tablet computer. Inyet other embodiments, the electronic device 200 may be any otherelectronic device capable of playback of media content such as, forexample, one of the electronic devices of the following group: apersonal computer, a laptop, and a mobile electronic device (e.g. ahandheld entertainment device, a digital media player, or other mediadevice).

The electronic device 200 may include one or several physical computerresources, or hardware resources 210. The hardware resources 210 maye.g. include one or several processors (or, processing circuitry), acommunications interface (or, communication circuitry) and one orseveral memories.

Likewise, the computer server system 300 may include one or severalphysical computer resources, or hardware resources 316. The hardwareresources 316 may likewise include e.g. one or several processors (or,processing circuitry), a communications interface (or, communicationcircuitry) and one or several memories.

The computer server system 300 may include an operating system or otherprocessing system which supports execution of a software application310, including a media server application 312 which may be used, forexample, to stream media content. A media stream service 320 may be usedto buffer media content, for streaming to one or more media streams 322,324, 326. A media application interface 314 may receive requests fromelectronic devices 200 or other systems, to retrieve media content 331from the computer system 300.

Media content 331, or media content items, may be provided, for example,within a storage such as a memory (e.g., including a database), or maybe received by the computer server system 300 from another source (notshown). This another source (not shown) could be external to thecomputer system 300, i.e. it may be located remotely from the computerserver system 300.

A media streaming logic 330 may be used to retrieve or otherwise accessthe media content 331 in response to requests from electronic devices200 or other systems, and populate the media stream service with streams322, 324, 326 of corresponding media content data 323, 325, 327 that maybe returned, i.e. streamed, to the requesting electronic device 200.

The electronic device 200 comprises a user interface 230, which mayadvantageously be adapted to display or otherwise provide a visual arrayof media options 232, for example as a two-dimensional grid, a list, orother visual format, and determine a user input from user 500. Eachmedia option in the visual array of media options 232 correspond to arespective media stream 322, 324, 326.

Selecting a particular media option within the visual array 232 may beused, or otherwise interpreted, as a request or instruction to the mediaserver application 312 to stream or otherwise return a correspondingparticular media content item. For example, in accordance with someembodiments, the software application 310 at the computer server system300 may be used to stream or otherwise communicate media content to theelectronic device 200, wherein the user interface 230 at the electronicdevice 200 is adapted to display a plurality of media options thatcorrespond to respective media streams.

In accordance with some embodiments, the electronic device 200 may alsoinclude a media playback application 220, together with a playback logic222, pre-buffering logic 145, and a volume function 145, which may beused to control the playback of media content that is received from themedia server application 312, for playback by the electronic device 200,as described in further detail below.

As will be appreciated, the user 500 may interact 11 with the userinterface 230 of the electronic device 200 and issue requests (orrequest messages), for example the playing of a selected media option atthe electronic device 200. The user's selection of a particular mediaoption may be communicated 12 to the media server application 312, viathe media application interface 314. The media server application 312may then be instructed 13 to stream corresponding media content,including one or more streams of media content data 323, 325, 327, andsubsequently stream 14 or otherwise communicate the selected media tothe user's electronic device 200. In accordance with some embodiments,pre-buffering requests from the electronic device 200 may also becommunicated 12 to the media server application 312 via the mediaapplication interface 314. At the electronic device 200, in response tothe user's interaction with the user interface 230, the media playbackapplication 220, including the playback logic 222, may play 10 therequested, and thus selected, media content to the user 500.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 , which is a flowchart illustrating amethod of streaming an audio content item to an electronic device 200 inaccordance with an embodiment. In advantageous embodiments, the methodis performed by, or otherwise implemented in, a computer system 300including one single computer or several computers. The audio contentitem may be associated with, or otherwise include, audio content forplayback by the electronic device 200.

Action 610: A request message (e.g., in the form of a data message) isreceived 12 from an electronic device 200 (see also FIG. 1 ). Thisrequest message includes, or otherwise indicates, an instructionrequesting the computer server system 300 to return a selected audiocontent item to the electronic device 200.

Action 620: In response to receiving 12 the request message from theelectronic device 200, the selected audio content item is retrieved froma first storage 331 a (e.g., a first memory).

Action 630: Descriptive metadata including an origin identification (ID)associated with said retrieved audio content item is determined. Theorigin ID may for example include one or several of the following: atrack ID, an artist ID, a playlist ID. In some embodiments, determiningsaid metadata includes retrieving, or fetching, the metadata from theselected audio content item that was retrieved in action 620. Inalternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the metadata isretrieved from a separate storage or repository (e.g., memory) (notshown) that is specifically designed to store metadata includingorigin-ID:s associated with audio content items stored in the firststorage 331 a.

Action 640: A second storage 331 b (e.g., a second memory) is browsedutilizing the earlier-mentioned metadata including the origin ID inorder to locate a non-static media content item associated with thisorigin ID. Advantageously, but not necessarily, the first storage 331 ais separate and distinct from the second storage 331 b, as illustratedin FIG. 1 . This may contribute to an effective separation of the audiocontent items and the non-static media content items, respectively.During streaming from the computer server system 300 to the electronicdevice 200, audio content items and non-static media content items canconsequently be retrieved from different storages 331 a, 331 b. This maycontribute to achieving a user experience with little or nointerruptions in the simultaneous playback and presentation of theselected audio content item and its associated non-static media contentitem at the electronic device 200. Having separate storages 331 a, 331 bmay be particularly advantageous in scenarios where a non-static mediacontent item comprise a video content item.

Action 650: In response to locating, or otherwise finding, a non-staticmedia content item(s) associated with the origin ID in the secondstorage 331 b, the method further comprises transmitting (or, sending)the selected audio content item along with the located non-static mediacontent item to the electronic device 220 for subsequent simultaneouspresentation of the audio content item as well as the located non-staticmedia content item by the electronic device 200.

In the event no non-static media content item associated with the originID is located (or found) in the second storage 331 b, the method mayend. In advantageous embodiments, the method however proceeds in thatthe method further comprises transmitting the selected audio contentitem. That is, the selected audio content item is returned to theelectronic device 220 without any accompanying non-static media contentitem.

As described earlier, in advantageous embodiments the non-static mediacontent item comprises a video content item. The video media contentitem is thus associated with, or otherwise include, video content. Inone embodiment, the video content item may comprise a video canvascontent item. In other words, video content may comprise video canvascontent. As discussed earlier in this disclosure, canvas content is,generally speaking, content that is configured to incorporate a varietyof visual effects to the video content being played.

Additionally, or alternatively, the non-static media content itemincludes content items including one or more of the following: dynamictext, a dynamic image (e.g., a dynamic picture). As described earlier,the expression ‘dynamic’ is generally used to mean changing ordeveloping (over time). In other words, dynamic text may include textthat undergoes a continuous change during presentation. Likewise, adynamic image may include an image that undergoes a continuous changeduring presentation. In some embodiments, the dynamic text and/or thedynamic image additionally includes a canvas content item. In otherwords, the dynamic text and/or the dynamic image additionally includescanvas content. As mentioned earlier, the canvas content is, generallyspeaking, content that is configured to incorporate a variety of visualeffects to the dynamic text/dynamic image that is currently beingpresented.

In some embodiments, it is also possible to update or otherwise modifythe non-static media content items stored in the second storage 331 b.To this end, the method may optionally comprise actions, or methodsteps, 660 and 670.

Action 660: A request message is received from an electronic device 200.This request message includes, or is otherwise indicative of, aninstruction requesting the computer server system 300 to change, orotherwise modify, a non-static media content item associated with aselected origin ID.

Action 670: In response to receiving the request message in action 660,the non-static media content item(s) associated with the selected originID is changed or otherwise modified in accordance with the request.

This allows for an increasingly flexible solution for the distributionof media content. For example, users of electronic devices can controlthe non-static media content items at anytime and anywhere. This, inturn, may enable users such as artists to individually controlnon-static media content items associated with their music. In otherwords, this opens up for a completely new way for artists to control thedistribution of their own artistic creations. In a sense, this will alsocontribute to artist being able to connect more easily to theirrespective fans.

As will be appreciated, actions 660 and 670 can be performedindependently of the preceding actions 610-650.

In some embodiments, the computer server system 300 may be configured tovalidate the electronic device 200 associated with the user 500 that istransmitting the request message in action 660 prior to performing therequested change. For example, in response to receiving the requestmessage in action 660, the computer server system 300 may optionallyreturn (i.e., transmit) a prompt message to the electronic device 200that transmitted the request message. The prompt message includesinformation that, when presented (e.g., displayed at user interface 230of the electronic device 200) prompts the user 500 to provide itscredentials (e.g., an artist ID). In response to the computer serversystem 300 receiving a data message including said credentials from theelectronic device 200, the computer server system can be configured tobrowse a storage (not shown) to check that the user 500 that transmittedsaid request message exists among stored users that are allowed tochange non-static image content item(s). If or when the computer serversystem locates a match between the received credentials and a storeduser that is allowed to change non-static image content item(s), it maythus be possible for the computer server system 300 to validate theelectronic device 200 that transmitted the request message for changingthe non-static media content item(s). In response to this validation,the computer server system 300 may then also proceed by performing, orotherwise executing, the requested change of the non-static mediacontent item(s).

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 , which is a flowchart illustrating amethod of streaming an audio content item to an electronic device 200.The method is advantageously performed by or otherwise implemented in anelectronic device 200.

Action 710: A request message (e.g., in the form of a data message) istransmitted, or sent, to the computer server system 300 (see FIG. 1 ).This request message includes, or otherwise indicates, an instructionrequesting the computer server system 300 to return a selected audiocontent item to the electronic device 200.

Action 720: The selected audio content item is subsequently receivedfrom the computer server system 300. In the event the computer serversystem 300 has located a non-static media content item(s) associatedwith the selected audio content item, the selected audio content item isreceived along with the thus located non-static media content item(s)from the computer server system 300. Else, i.e. if the computer serversystem 300 has not located a non-static media content item(s) associatedwith the selected audio content item, only the selected audio contentitem is received. That is, the selected audio content item is receivedwithout any accompanying non-static media content item.

Action 730: The received audio content item is played. If or when anaccompanying non-static media content item(s) is also received,this/these non-static media content item(s) is/are presentedsimultaneously as the received audio content item is being played.

In some embodiments, it is also possible to update or otherwise modifythe non-static media content items stored in the second storage 331 b.

Action 740: A request message is transmitted to the computer serversystem 300. This request message includes, or is otherwise indicativeof, an instruction requesting the computer server system 300 to change,or otherwise modify, a non-static media content item associated with aselected origin ID.

As will be appreciated, the selected origin ID may be selected by a userwho operates and interacts with the user interface 230 of the electronicdevice 200 in order to make or indicate his or her selection of theorigin ID (e.g., track ID, artist ID and/or playlist ID) whoseassociated non-static media content item(s) is to be changed. Selectinga particular origin ID and possible related change options for theselected origin ID when operating and interacting with the userinterface 230 may hence be used, or otherwise interpreted, as a requestor instruction to the media server application 312 to change orotherwise modify non-static media content item(s) associated with theselected origin ID that is/are stored in the second storage 331 b inaccordance with these user-prompted instructions.

Action 750: Subsequent to computer server system 300 having changed anon-static media content item(s) associated with the selected origin ID,an earlier-selected selected audio content item may be received alongwith the thus changed non-static media content item(s) from the computerserver system 300.

Action 760: If or when a changed non-static media content item(s) isalso received, this/these non-static media content item(s) may bepresented simultaneously as the received audio content item is beingplayed.

This allows for an increasingly flexible solution for the distributionof media content. For example, users of electronic devices can controlthe non-static media content items at anytime and anywhere. This, inturn, may enable artists to individually control non-static mediacontent items associated with their music. In other words, this opens upfor a completely new way for artists to control the distribution oftheir own artistic creations. In a sense, this will also contribute toartist being able to connect more easily to their respective fans.

As will be appreciated, actions 740, 750 and 760 can be performedindependently of the preceding actions 710-730.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4C, which schematically illustrate howa non-static media content item can be changed or shifted over time inaccordance with an embodiment. In the example embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4C,the non-static media content item is in the form of dynamic imagecontent item (e.g., including a cover art) associated with the currentlyplayed audio content item (e.g., a song). For example, FIG. 4A may be aview at time t0. FIG. 4B may be a view at time t1, where t1>t0. FIG. 4Cmay be a view at time t2, where t2>t1. As will be appreciated, thenon-static media content item can change, or develop, during theplayback of the audio content item. In contrast to the existing priorart where one single image (typically a rectangular cover art) istypically presented throughout the playback of an entire song, thisembodiment allows for a visual appearance of the presented image contentto change, develop or shift, during the duration of a played song. Inother words, during portions of or during the entire playback of e.g. asong the visual appearance of the presented image content associatedwith the played song can change or develop. The provision ofnon-permanent visual appearance of e.g. a cover art associated with aparticular song contributes to a novel user experience when consuming,e.g., streamed audio content at the electronic device 200.

In other embodiments, the non-static media content item comprises avideo content item. Accompanying a played audio content item bysimultaneously presenting (i.e., playing) video content associated witha received video content item provides for an increasingly dynamic userexperience (e.g., compared with the existing prior art). When thenon-static media content item is provided as a video content item, it isparticularly advantageous to store audio content items and non-staticmedia content items in separate storages 331 a, 331 b (see FIG. 1 ).During streaming from the computer server system 300 to the electronicdevice 200, audio content items and non-static media content items areconsequently retrieved from different storages 331 a and 331 b,respectively. For example, it is possible to pre-fetch segments of avideo content item at the electronic device 200, e.g. utilizing thepre-buffering logic 145 (see FIG. 1 ). Having separate storagesfacilitates simultaneous transmission of the audio content at the onehand and the video content item on the other hand, since the videocontent item can be segmented more easily at the computer server system300 and, hence, the electronic device 200 will be capable ofpre-fetching, or otherwise pre-buffering, the video content item in anefficient manner during the streaming. At the electronic device 200,this allows for a user experience with no or little interruptions duringthe simultaneous playback/presentation of a selected audio content itemand its associated video content item.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , another aspect will be briefly discussed. FIG. 5shows an example of a computer-readable medium, in this example in theform of a data disc 800. In one embodiment, the data disc 800 is amagnetic data storage disc. The data disc 800 is configured to carryinstructions 810 that can be loaded into a data storage (e.g., memory)of an apparatus 300. Upon execution of said instructions by a processor316A of the apparatus 300, the apparatus 300 is caused to execute amethod or procedure according to the any one of the embodimentsdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 2 . The data disc 800 is arranged tobe connected to or within and read by a reading device (not shown), forloading the instructions into the processor. One such example of areading device in combination with one (or several) data disc(s) 800 isa hard drive. It should be noted that the computer-readable medium canalso be other mediums such as compact discs, digital video discs, flashmemories or other memory technologies commonly used. In such anembodiment, the data disc 800 is one type of a tangiblecomputer-readable medium. The instructions may alternatively bedownloaded to a computer data reading device, such as a computer orother electronic device capable of reading computer coded data on acomputer-readable medium, by comprising the instructions in acomputer-readable signal (not shown) which is transmitted via a wireless(or wired) interface (for example via the Internet) to the computer datareading device for loading the instructions into a processor of theapparatus. In such an embodiment, the computer-readable signal is onetype of a non-tangible computer-readable medium.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , another aspect will be briefly discussed. FIG. 6shows an example of a computer-readable medium, in this example in theform of a data disc 900. In one embodiment, the data disc 900 is amagnetic data storage disc. The data disc 900 is configured to carryinstructions 910 that can be loaded into a data storage (e.g., memory)of an apparatus 200. Upon execution of said instructions by a processor216A of the apparatus, the apparatus 200 is caused to execute a methodor procedure according to the any one of the embodiments described inconjunction with FIG. 3 . The data disc 900 is arranged to be connectedto or within and read by a reading device (not shown), for loading theinstructions into the processor. One such example of a reading device incombination with one (or several) data disc(s) 900 is a hard drive. Itshould be noted that the computer-readable medium can also be othermediums such as compact discs, digital video discs, flash memories orother memory technologies commonly used. In such an embodiment, the datadisc 900 is one type of a tangible computer-readable medium. Theinstructions may alternatively be downloaded to a computer data readingdevice, such as a computer or other electronic device capable of readingcomputer coded data on a computer-readable medium, by comprising theinstructions in a computer-readable signal (not shown) which istransmitted via a wireless (or wired) interface (for example via theInternet) to the computer data reading device for loading theinstructions into a processor of the apparatus. In such an embodiment,the computer-readable signal is one type of a non-tangiblecomputer-readable medium.

With reference to FIG. 7 , an example implementation of the computerserver system 300 of FIG. 1 will be described in some further detail.For example, the computer server system 300 shown in FIG. 1 may compriseone or several computer servers, as described earlier. In someembodiments, the computer server system 300 may comprise means adaptedto perform the method described herein with reference to FIG. 2 . In oneembodiment, the computer server system 300 may comprise means 316Cadapted to receive a request message from an electronic device, saidrequest message including an instruction requesting the computer serversystem 300 to return a selected audio content item to the electronicdevice; means 316A adapted to retrieve said selected audio content itemfrom a first storage in response to receiving said request message; andmeans 316A adapted to determine descriptive metadata including an originidentification (ID) associated with said retrieved audio content item.Furthermore, the computer server system 300 may comprise means 316Aadapted to browse a second storage, utilizing said metadata includingthe origin ID, to locate a non-static media content item associated withthe origin ID. Still further, the computer server system may comprisemeans 316C adapted to transmit the selected audio content item alongwith the located non-static media content item to the electronic devicefor subsequent simultaneous presentation of the audio content item aswell as the located non-static media content item by the electronicdevice—in response to finding non-static media content item associatedwith the origin ID.

More specifically, FIG. 7 schematically illustrates one exampleimplementation of a computer server system 300, here exemplified by asingle computer server in order to ease the understanding of thedisclosure. The computer server 300 shown in FIG. 7 is configured toexecute, or otherwise perform, the methods described throughout thisdisclosure with reference to FIG. 2 . As is schematically illustrated inFIG. 7 , the computer server 300 comprises hardware 316. For example,the computer server 300 may comprise one or more processors 316A and oneor more memories 316B. Also, a communications interface 316C, or acommunications circuitry, may be provided in order to allow the computerserver 300 to communicate with electronic devices 200 and/or otherservers 300, e.g. via a network 400 such as the Internet. To this end,the communications interface 316C may comprise a transmitter (Tx) and areceiver (Rx). Alternatively, the communications interface 316C maycomprise a transceiver (Tx/Rx) combining both transmission and receptioncapabilities. The communications interface 316C may include a radiofrequency (RF) interface allowing the computer server 300 to communicatewith electronic devices 200 and/or other computer servers 300 through aradio frequency band through the use of different radio frequencytechnologies such as 5G New Radio, LTE (Long Term Evolution), WCDMA(Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), or any other cellular networkstandardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), or anyother wireless technology such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, etcetera. Asdescribed with reference to FIG. 1 , the computer server 300 may alsocomprise one or more applications, e.g. the software application 310including the media server application 312. The applications are sets ofinstructions (e.g., computer program code) that when executed by the oneor more processors 316A controls the operation of the computer server300.

In some implementations, the one or more memories 316B stores computerprogram code, which, when run in the one or more processors 316A causesthe computer server system 300 to: i) receive a request message from anelectronic device via the at least one communications interface, saidrequest message including an instruction requesting the computer serversystem to return a selected audio content item to the electronic device;ii) in response to receiving said request message, retrieve saidselected audio content item from a first storage; and ii) determinedescriptive metadata including an origin ID associated with saidretrieved audio content item; iv) browse a second storage, utilizingsaid metadata including the origin ID, to locate a non-static mediacontent item associated with the origin ID; v) and in response tofinding non-static media content item associated with the origin IDfurther: transmit, via the at least one communications interface, theselected audio content item along with the located non-static mediacontent item to the electronic device for subsequent simultaneouspresentation of the audio content item as well as the located non-staticmedia content item by the electronic device.

As described earlier, the above-mentioned origin ID may include one ormore of the following: a track ID, an artist ID, and a playlist ID.

As described earlier, in advantageous embodiments the non-static mediacontent item comprises a video content item. The video media contentitem is thus associated with, or otherwise include, video content. Inone embodiment, the video content item may comprise a video canvascontent item. In other words, video content may comprise video canvascontent. Canvas content has been described earlier in this disclosureand will therefore not be repeated here.

Additionally, or alternatively, the non-static media content itemincludes content items including one or more of the following: text, animage (e.g., a picture). Additionally, or alternatively, the one or morememories 316B stores computer program code, which, when run in the oneor more processors 316A causes the computer server system 300 to i)receive, via the at least one communications interface, a requestmessage from an electronic device, said request message including aninstruction requesting the computer server system to change, orotherwise modify, a non-static media content item associated with aselected origin ID; and ii) in response thereto change, or otherwisemodify, the non-static media content item associated with the selectedorigin ID accordingly.

With reference to FIG. 8 , an example implementation of the electronicdevice 200 of FIG. 1 will be described in some further detail. In someembodiments, the electronic device 200 may comprise means adapted toperform the method described herein with reference to FIG. 3 . In oneembodiment, the electronic device 200 comprises means 210C adapted totransmit a request message to the computer server system, said requestmessage including an instruction requesting the computer server systemto return a selected audio content item to the electronic device 200;and means 210C adapted to receive the selected audio content item alongwith a located non-static media content from the computer server system.The electronic device 200 also comprises means 230 adapted to play theselected the audio content item and, at the same time, present thelocated non-static media content.

Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic device 200 may comprisemeans 210C adapted to transmit a request message computer server system300, wherein this request message includes, or is otherwise indicativeof, an instruction requesting the computer server system 300 to change,or otherwise modify, a non-static media content item associated with aselected origin ID.

As mentioned earlier, the selected origin ID may be selected by a userwho operates and interacts with the user interface 230 of the electronicdevice 200 in order to make or indicate his or her selection of theorigin ID (e.g., track ID, artist ID and/or playlist ID) whoseassociated non-static media content item(s) is to be changed. Selectinga particular origin ID and possible related change options for theselected origin ID when operating and interacting with the userinterface 230 may hence be used, or otherwise interpreted, as a requestor instruction to computer server system 300 to change or otherwisemodifying non-static media content item(s) associated with the selectedorigin ID in accordance with these user-prompted instructions.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example implementation of the electronic device200. Again, the electronic device mobile may be a mobile communicationdevice (e.g., a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, orthe like). The electronic device 200 is configured to execute, orotherwise perform, the method described with respect to FIG. 3 . As isschematically illustrated in FIG. 8 , the electronic device 200comprises hardware 210A-C. For example, the electronic device 200 maycomprise one or more processors 210A and one or more memories 210B.Also, a communications interface 210C may be provided in order to allowthe electronic device 200 to communicate with other electronic devicesand/or servers 300, e.g. via a network 400 such as the Internet. To thisend, the communications interface 210C may comprise a transmitter (Tx)and a receiver (Rx). Alternatively, the communications interface 210Cmay comprise a transceiver (Tx/Rx) combining both transmission andreception capabilities. The communications interface 210C may include aradio frequency (RF) interface allowing the electronic device 200 tocommunicate with other devices and/or servers 300 through a radiofrequency band through the use of different radio frequency technologiessuch as 5G New Radio, LTE (Long Term Evolution), WCDMA (Wideband CodeDivision Multiple Access), any other cellular network standardized bythe 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), or any other wirelesstechnology such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, etcetera. The electronic device200 may further comprise a user interface 230, as described earlierherein. Hence, the user interface 230 may advantageously include atouch-sensitive display. As such, the touch-sensitive display may be atouch screen display upon which virtual keys may be displayed andoperated. Furthermore, the user interface 230 may include output meanssuch as loudspeakers (not shown). As described with reference to FIG. 1, the electronic device 200 may comprise one or more applications, e.g.the media playback application 220. The applications may include sets ofinstructions (e.g., computer program code) that when executed by the oneor more processors 210A controls the operation of the electronic device200.

In some implementations, the one or more memories 210B stores computerprogram code, which, when run in the one or more processors 210A causesthe electronic device 200 to transmit, via the communications interface210C, a request message to a computer server system, said requestmessage including an instruction requesting the computer server systemto return a selected audio content item to the electronic device; andreceive, via the communications interface 210C, the selected audiocontent item along with a located non-static media content from thecomputer server system; and in response thereto simultaneously presentof the audio content item as well as the located non-static mediacontent by means of the user interface 230.

Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more memories 210B may storecomputer program code, which, when run in the one or more processors210A causes the electronic device 200 to transmit a request messagecomputer server system 300, wherein this request message includes, or isotherwise indicative of, an instruction requesting the computer serversystem 300 to change, or otherwise modify, a non-static media contentitem associated with a selected origin ID.

Various aspects and embodiments described throughout this disclosureallow for a novel user experience when consuming streamed media contentat an electronic device 200. For example, aspects and embodimentsdescribed herein provide a novel user experience during the consumptionof streamed audio content at an electronic device 200, e.g. duringplayback of songs of a music playlist.

For example, certain aspects and embodiments described herein allow forpresenting a non-static media content item during the playback of acurrently played song—thus essentially replacing the static cover artsthat have been and still are commonly used in the existing art. Thiscontributes to achieving a novel and different user experience whenplaying songs of a music playlist at an electronic device.

Various aspects and embodiments described herein are based on the notionthat the audio content items and the non-static media items are separateand distinct from each other. This provides for a flexible solution.Whereas in the existing art an audio content item e.g. in the form of amusic content item (e.g., a music file) is typically linked or coupledto pre-defined static image content (e.g., a rectangular cover artassociated with a music album), the separation between the audio contentitem and the non-static media content item allows for a more flexiblesolution where a certain audio content item may be associated withseveral different non-static media content items.

In advantageous embodiments, the first storage and the second storageare separate storages. This may allow for an increasingly effectiveseparation of the audio content items and the non-static media contentitems, respectively. During streaming from the computer server system tothe electronic device, audio content items and non-static media contentitems can consequently be retrieved from different storages. Thiscontributes to achieving a user experience with little or nointerruptions in the simultaneous playback and presentation of theselected audio content item and its associated non-static media contentitem. Having separate storages may be particularly advantageous inscenarios where a non-static media content item comprise a video contentitem.

In some embodiments, the non-static media content comprises a videocontent item. At the electronic device, it is possible to pre-fetchsegments of a video content item. Having separate storages facilitatessimultaneous transmission of the audio content at the one hand and thevideo content item on the other hand, since the video content item canbe segmented more easily and, hence, the electronic device will becapable of pre-fetching the video content item during the streaming. Atthe electronic device, this allows for a user experience with no orlittle interruptions during the simultaneous playback/presentation of aselected audio content item and its associated video content item.

In some embodiments, it is made possible to change, or otherwise modify,a non-static media content item associated with a selected origin ID.This allows for an increasingly flexible solution for the distributionof media content. For example, users of electronic devices canindividually control the non-static media content items at anytime andanywhere. This, in turn, may enable users such as artists toindividually control non-static media content items associated withtheir music. In other words, this opens up for a completely new way forartists to control the distribution of their own artistic creations. Ina sense, this will also contribute to artist being able to connect moreeasily to their respective fans.

In this regard, it is also an advantage that the accompanying contentitems are non-static. The non-static media content could be provided inthe form on non-permanent text content, image content, video content,live video content, etcetera. This may have the further advantage ofgiving the artist more options of distributing his or her artisticcreations. In other words, a flexible solution can be provided.

In the detailed description hereinabove, for purposes of explanation andnot limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of various aspects and embodiments described inthis disclosure. In some instances, detailed descriptions of well-knowndevices, components, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as notto obscure the description of the embodiments disclosed herein withunnecessary detail. All statements herein reciting principles, aspects,and embodiments disclosed herein, as well as specific examples thereof,are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalentsthereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include bothcurrently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in thefuture, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function,regardless of structure. Thus, for example, it will be appreciated thatblock diagrams herein can represent conceptual views of illustrativecircuitry or other functional units embodying the principles of thedescribed embodiments. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flowcharts and the like represent various processes which may besubstantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed bya computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor isexplicitly shown. The functions of the various elements includingfunctional blocks, may be provided through the use of hardware such ascircuit hardware and/or hardware capable of executing software in theform of coded instructions stored on the above-mentioned computerreadable medium. Thus, such functions and illustrated functional blocksare to be understood as being either hardware-implemented and/orcomputer-implemented, and thus machine-implemented. In terms of hardwareimplementation, the functional blocks may include or encompass, withoutlimitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, reduced instructionset processor, hardware (e.g., digital or analog) circuitry includingbut not limited to application specific integrated circuit(s) [ASIC],and/or field programmable gate array(s) (FPGA(s)), and (whereappropriate) state machines capable of performing such functions. Interms of computer implementation, a computer is generally understood tocomprise one or more processors or one or more controllers. Whenprovided by a computer or processor or controller, the functions may beprovided by a single dedicated computer or processor or controller, by asingle shared computer or processor or controller, or by a plurality ofindividual computers or processors or controllers, some of which may beshared or distributed. Moreover, use of the term “processor” or“controller” may also be construed to refer to other hardware capable ofperforming such functions and/or executing software, such as the examplehardware recited above.

Modifications and other variants of the described embodiments will cometo mind to one skilled in the art having benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing description and associated drawings.Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limitedto the specific example embodiments described in this disclosure andthat modifications and other variants are intended to be included withinthe scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, although specific terms maybe employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive senseonly and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, a person skilled inthe art would recognize numerous variations to the described embodimentsthat would still fall within the scope of the appended claims. As usedherein, the terms “comprise/comprises” or “include/includes” do notexclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, althoughindividual features may be included in different claims, these maypossibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion of differentclaims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasibleand/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude aplurality.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of streaming an audio content itemto an electronic device, the method being performed by a computer serversystem comprising one or several computers, and the method comprising:receiving a first request message from an electronic device, said firstrequest message including an instruction requesting the computer serversystem to return a selected audio content item to the electronic device;in response to receiving the first request message: retrieving theselected audio content item, wherein the audio content item isassociated with an artist; and locating a non-static media content itemassociated with the selected audio content item; transmitting to theelectronic device: the selected audio content item, and the locatednon-static media content item, wherein the selected audio content itemand the located non-static media content item are presentedsimultaneously by the electronic device; receiving a second requestmessage from the artist, the second request message including aninstruction for the computer server system to modify the non-staticmedia content item associated with the selected audio content item; andin response to the second request message, modifying the non-staticmedia content item associated with the selected audio content itemaccordingly.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operationsof transmitting the located non-static media content item and modifyingthe non-static media content item are performed in parallel.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein locating the non-static mediacontent item associated with the selected audio content item includesaccessing the non-static media content item using an origin ID for theselected audio content item, wherein the origin ID includes one or moreof the following: a track ID, an artist ID, a playlist ID.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein the origin ID is determined usingdescriptive metadata for the selected audio content item.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the non-static media content itemcomprises a video content item.
 6. The method according to claim 5,wherein the video content item comprises a video canvas content item. 7.The method according to claim 1, wherein the audio content item isretrieved from first storage and the non-static media item is located insecond storage separate and distinct from the first storage.
 8. Acomputer server system for streaming an audio content item to anelectronic device, the computer server system comprising: at least onecommunications interface for transmission and reception of messages; atleast one processor; and memory comprising instructions, which, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, cause the computer server systemfor: receiving a first request message from an electronic device, saidfirst request message including an instruction requesting the computerserver system to return a selected audio content item to the electronicdevice; in response to receiving the first request message: retrievingthe selected audio content item, wherein the audio content item isassociated with an artist; and locating a non-static media content itemassociated with the selected audio content item; transmitting to theelectronic device: the selected audio content item, and the locatednon-static media content item, wherein the selected audio content itemand the located non-static media content item are presentedsimultaneously by the electronic device; receiving a second requestmessage from the artist, the second request message including aninstruction for the computer server system to modify the non-staticmedia content item associated with the selected audio content item; andin response to the second request message, modifying the non-staticmedia content item associated with the selected audio content itemaccordingly.
 9. The computer server system according to claim 8, whereinthe operations of transmitting the located non-static media content itemand modifying the non-static media content item are performed inparallel.
 10. The computer server system according to claim 8, whereinlocating the non-static media content item associated with the selectedaudio content item includes accessing the non-static media content itemusing an origin ID for the selected audio content item, wherein theorigin ID includes one or more of the following: a track ID, an artistID, a playlist ID.
 11. The computer server system according to claim 10,wherein the origin ID is determined using descriptive metadata for theselected audio content item.
 12. The computer server system according toclaim 8, wherein the non-static media content item comprises a videocontent item.
 13. The computer server system according to claim 12,wherein the video content item comprises a video canvas content item.14. The computer server system according to claim 8, wherein the audiocontent item is retrieved from first storage and the non-static mediaitem is located in second storage separate and distinct from the firststorage.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprisinginstructions which, when executed on a computer server system with atleast one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a setof operations, comprising: receiving a first request message from anelectronic device, said first request message including an instructionrequesting the computer server system to return a selected audio contentitem to the electronic device; in response to receiving the firstrequest message: retrieving the selected audio content item, wherein theaudio content item is associated with an artist; and locating anon-static media content item associated with the selected audio contentitem; transmitting to the electronic device: the selected audio contentitem, and the located non-static media content item, wherein theselected audio content item and the located non-static media contentitem are presented simultaneously by the electronic device; receiving asecond request message from the artist, the second request messageincluding an instruction for the computer server system to modify thenon-static media content item associated with the selected audio contentitem; and in response to the second request message, modifying thenon-static media content item associated with the selected audio contentitem accordingly.
 16. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium according to claim 15, wherein the operations of transmitting thelocated non-static media content item and modifying the non-static mediacontent item are performed in parallel.
 17. The non-transitory computerreadable medium according to claim 15, wherein locating the non-staticmedia content item associated with the selected audio content itemincludes accessing the non-static media content item using an origin IDfor the selected audio content item, wherein the origin ID includes oneor more of the following: a track ID, an artist ID, a playlist ID. 18.The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 17,wherein the origin ID is determined using descriptive metadata for theselected audio content item.
 19. The non-transitory computer readablemedium according to claim 15, wherein the non-static media content itemcomprises a video content item.
 20. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 19, wherein the video content itemcomprises a video canvas content item.